'When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses not zebras' - the old adage is well-known to GPs but what should you do when faced with a zebra, not a horse? Consultant cardiologist Professor Robert Tulloh and GP Dr Louise Tulloh kick off our new series with their advice on how to catch Kawasaki disease in general practice.

GPs warned to expect flurry of Savile victims to come forward

GPs have been warned to expect a flurry of victims of Jimmy Savile to come forward for support as a result of investigations at three hospitals.

NHS England medical director Sir Bruce Keogh has written to all CCG clinical leaders and other senior NHS managers asking them to make GPs ‘alert to the possibility of victims and witnesses presenting for help’ and put arrangements in place with mental health services to ensure witnesses have their support needs met.

The investigations - at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire, Leeds General Infirmary and Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire – will look into allegations that Savile abused hundreds of underage children in each of the institutions.

Professor Sir Bruce said in his letter: ‘It is likely that many of those who are contacted about their recollections of Jimmy Savile will find it extremely distressing and disturbing to have to relive their experiences. The investigation teams at the three hospitals have put arrangements in place for local mental health services to provide necessary support for victims and other witnesses, but of course not all of them will live within easy reach of those services, and not all of those who need support will make themselves known to the investigation teams.

‘I am writing to ask if you could please ensure that, firstly, all GPs within your area are alert to the possibility of victims and witnesses presenting for help and support and, secondly, that arrangements are put in place with mental health services in your area so that the victims and witnesses can have their support needs, of whatever degree, met in a timely and appropriate fashion.’